English Romantic Poets

The Romantics of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries were a powerful generation of poets, and Sir Jonathan Bate has gathered the most loved poems of the age, including classics such as Coleridge's Kubla Khan and Frost at Midnight, as well as forgotten gems.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Everyman

The Romantic era, spanning the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, was a time of profound and enduring poetic expression. Among the many poets who emerged during this period, the Romantics of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries stood out as a generation with a unique and powerful sense of emotion. In his indispensable volume, Sir Jonathan Bate, a renowned biographer of Wordsworth, Keats, and John Clare, presents a collection of the most beloved poems of this era, alongside many forgotten gems.

The book showcases a diverse range of poetic works, including classics such as Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" and Frost's "At Midnight," as well as odes by Keats and generous selections from Wordsworth's "Lyrical Ballads" and "The Prelude." Alongside these renowned poets, the reader will discover the wit of Byron, the wildness of Blake, the passion of Shelley, a wealth of nature poems by Clare, and the distinctive voices of women Romantics such as Charlotte Smith, Mary Robinson, Felicia Hemans, Dorothy Wordsworth, and Letitia Landon.

The Romantics' poetic language was characterized by its emphasis on emotion, imagination, and the natural world. They sought to capture the essence of human experience and express it in a way that was both beautiful and deeply meaningful. Their poems often explored themes of love, nature, spirituality, and the human condition, resonating with readers across generations and cultures.

One of the defining characteristics of Romantic poetry was its emphasis on the individual voice and the subjective experience. The Romantics believed that poetry should reflect the unique experiences and emotions of the poet, rather than adhering to strict poetic forms or conventions. This led to a proliferation of different poetic styles and forms, including odes, sonnets, ballads, and free verse.

The Romantics also played a significant role in shaping the development of English literature and language. Their use of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and sensory details helped to elevate poetry to a new level of artistic expression. Their emphasis on the importance of the natural world also inspired a renewed interest in the outdoors and nature, which had a lasting impact on the literature and culture of the time.

In conclusion, the Romantics of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries were a generation of poets who felt deeply and passionately about the world around them. Their poetry was characterized by its emphasis on emotion, imagination, and the natural world, and it continues to resonate with readers today. Sir Jonathan Bate's collection of the most loved poems of this era is a testament to the enduring power and beauty of Romantic poetry, and it serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to explore the rich tapestry of this remarkable literary movement.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 165 x 112 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781841598260